perceptions of their own strength will begin to change, too. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck in mountains north of Afghanistan's capital, killing at least seven people and injuring 30, officials said. May The Taliban announced an increased offensive during spring and launched several attacks against International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and Afghan government forces. Attacks included a car bomb against a NATO convoy in Kabul which killed 18 people including six NATO soldiers and separate attacks against two of the largest ISAF bases in Afghanistan, Bagram and Kandahar Air Bases. June June 6 - Amrullah Saleh, Director (since 2004) of Afghanistan's intelligence service National Directorate of Security, resigned from his post. Saleh was seen as strongly committed to fighting terrorism. General Stanley McChrystal is forced to resign after a controversial Rolling Stone magazine article. He was replaced by David Petraeus. On June 10, at least 40 civilians were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a wedding in the Arghandab District of southern Kandahar Province. Afghan authorities accused the Taliban, but they denied involvement in the attack. July July 1 - Whilst carrying out an operation against insurgents in Haji Wakil, Helmand Province, Corporal Seth Stephens of the Special Boat Service was killed during a heavy firefight whilst clearing a compound, as a result of his actions during that operation, he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross July 20 - International Conference on Afghanistan started in Kabul. "The Government of Afghanistan will bring together representatives of more than 70 partner countries, international and regional organizations and financial institutions to deliberate and endorse an Afghan Government-led plan for improved development, governance, and stability. The International Conference on Afghanistan, the first of its kind in Kabul, will mark the culmination of several months of intensive study and rigorous policy debate on Government priorities implemented through national programs, to deliver on the key goals of economic growth and job creation. Building on commitments made at the recent international London Conference, the conference aims to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. It will be opened by H.E. President Hamid Karzai, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and co-chaired by Foreign Minister Rassoul and UN Special Representative Staffan de Mistura." August A Christian charity said it had no plans to leave Afghanistan despite the murders of 10 members of its medical aid team and repeated that the organization does not attempt to convert Muslims